Zotefoams develops high-purity polyolefin foam

Thanks to its high purity, Plastazote foam is used in the medical industry in a range of applications, from prosthetics and orthotics to body supports for MRI and CT scanning.

The company believes that, with hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), including MRSA, occurring on a regular basis, this antimicrobial foam will help provide enhanced protection to both patients and staff.

Phil Maddox, director of sales and marketing for Zotefoams, said: ’Bacteria grow on almost any surface imaginable and many healthcare applications would benefit from having a foam that has biocidal properties.’ The Plastazote grade is infused with Biomaster: an additive that inhibits the growth of potentially harmful bacteria such as Escherichia Coli (E.coli) and MRSA, along with moulds and fungi that cause degradation, discolouring and unpleasant odours.

Different to a surface treatment, the additive will remain present and active for the complete life of the foam and will not wash out or wear away.

Under independent laboratory test conditions, when in contact with E.coli and MRSA for 24 hours at 35C under a relative humidity of more than 95 per cent, the new material saw a reduction in viable organisms in excess of 99 per cent, suggesting that this foam would remain cleaner, fresher and safer during intervals between sanitisation.